Sewing an 18th century bedgown goes much faster than sewing an 18th century trade shirt. The difference? There are cuffs and collars on the shirts. A bedgown has neither, and that makes a tremendous difference in how fast I can sew one. And, I can do that without sacrificing the quality of sewing for speed.
This was my output in just three days of working on bedgowns. Sewing zoomies! LOL
Granted, this one was not yet finished. I needed to put in the two inverted pleats on the sides (easy peasy) and add the hem. (Also easy.)
Here it is in its finished form.
It is not made from a block print fabric, but the pattern on the fabric is very period correct for the 18th century and is 100% cotton. I think it will sell quickly.
This is a block print bedgown. Sharp eyes will remember this fabric in the red version that was made into a trade shirt.
It had occurred to me as I was working on the red trade shirt that the blue version of the fabric, which I already had in stock, might look nice as a bedgown. So, I saved that fabric back and tried it - I am pleased with how the bedgown looks.
My sewing progress is also going faster on these bedgowns because I have the pattern memorized and don't need to consult the instructions for every step of making one. I know how to make one and even how to dovetail steps so that time is saved.
This has to be one of the most beautifully block printed fabrics I've ever worked with. I anticipate it, too, will sell quickly.
I have two clothing racks in my office full of completed garments.
and the one for women's clothing is, too. (I had to remove four hangers of pockets to make room for the bedgowns.)
I'm out of room and yet still I have things to make. The cloaks will take up a good amount of space, and the panniers are bigger than the Francis rump on the left in the photo. I cut out three more pockets and another bedgown yesterday and have plans to cut out two more of those.
I may get my portable rack out of the garage and bring it upstairs so I can hang the things I am still working on onto it.
I probably could squeeze it all onto the other two racks, but I spend so much time ironing the clothes when I make them, I'd rather not crush and wrinkle them when another option is available.
Been wondering what the dogs have been up to? Another episode of Dogs of Our Lives coming soon!
Stay 'tooned!
